Ultimate behavior of bolted T-stubs. II: Model validation

This paper presents the results of an experimental program devoted to the v alidation of a theoretical model for predicting the ultimate behavior of bo lted T-stubs under monotonic loading conditions. Twelve specimens have been tested, under displacement control, to evaluate their plastic deformation supply. The specimens are characterized by different values of the ratio be tween the flexural resistance of the flanges and the axial resistance of th e bolts, covering the whole range of practical design situations. The resul ts from experimental evidence are compared with the force versus displaceme nt curves predicted by means of the theoretical model presented in a compan ion paper, whose application is presented by means of a worked example. Thi s comparison provides the: validation of the proposed theoretical model, wh ose primary aim is the evaluation of the plastic deformation capacity of th e most important component of bolted connections. Finally, bq means of the validated theoretical model, the role of the parameters affecting the plast ic deformation supply of bolted connections is stressed.